Produce picking bag

ABSTRACT

A wearable picking-bag or receptacle for use as a produce holding device for containing a preset volume of produce for use in the harvesting of the produce or tree fruit, and specifically a preset volume picking-bag worn by a produce picker with a hook and grommet-strap for holding the bag in a closed position at a specific volume, so the user cannot make any adjustment to the volume of the bag, and so eliminate damage to the harvested fruit by over adjusting the volume of the bag. Additionally the grommet-strap can include a strap end that covers the grommet, to protect the fruit from damage. The produce picking bag is especially useful in the hand picking or harvesting of tree-grown fruits, such as apples, pears or peaches.

TECHNICAL FIELD

A wearable picking bag or receptacle for use as a produce holding devicefor containing a preset volume of picked produce for use in theharvesting of the produce or a tree fruit, and specifically a presetvolume picking bag worn by a produce picker with a hook andgrommet-strap for holding the bag in a closed position at a specificvolume. The produce picking bag is especially useful in the hand pickingor harvesting of tree-grown fruits, such as apples, pears or peaches.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tree fruit growers relying on manual picking methods and devices. Mostpicking operations require skilled laborers to pick fruit efficiently,and cost effectively, without damage to the fruit being harvested orpicked. Conventional fruit picking bags tend to be uncomfortable towear. Additionally, conventional fruit picking bags often damage fruitby allowing the picker to overload the picking bag, resulting inbruising and crushing of the picked fruits within the bag. There is aneed for a comfortable and simple to operate fruit picking-bag thatprevents damage or possible overloading of the produce or fruit.

The following is a disclosure of the present invention that will beunderstood by reference to the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a produce picking-bag device, usedaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a produce picking-bag device, usedaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a produce picking-bag device, usedaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective detail view of a produce picking-bag device,used according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective detail view of a produce picking-bag device,used according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective detail view of a produce picking-bag device,used according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective detail view of a produce picking-bag device,used according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a produce picking-bag device, usedaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

Reference characters included in the above drawings indicatecorresponding parts throughout the several views, as discussed herein.The description herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of theinvention, in one form, and the description herein is not to beconstrued as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. Itshould be understood that the above listed figures are not necessarilyto scale and that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated byfragmentary views, graphic symbols, diagrammatic or schematicrepresentations, and phantom lines. Details that are not necessary foran understanding of the present invention by one skilled in thetechnology of the invention, or render other details difficult toperceive, may have been omitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

The invention provides a wearable picking-bag for use as a produceholding device for containing a preset volume of picked produce, for usein the harvesting of a produce or a tree fruit. The wearable picking-bagdevice of the present invention may be referred to herein alternativelyas a produce picking-bag, or a fruit picking-bag. The producepicking-bag device 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 through 8, and may be referredto simply herein the ‘picking-bag device.’ The picking-bag deviceincludes a bag 12 or receptacle, attached to a harness 15 that is wornby a user 17.

The picking-bag device 10 of the present invention has certain elementsof conventional wearable produce harvesting receptacles, commonly called‘fruit pickers’ bags,' and such pickers' bags typically include the bag12, which is a substantially tubular container, bag or receptacle forreceiving and holding a harvested fruit 20 or produce, such as an apple.

As shown in FIG. 1, the bag 12 of the picking-bag device 10 includes atop opening 22 and a bottom opening 23. The top opening of the bagsuspends from a receiving frame 24, with the bag held open by the frame,to receive the harvested fruit 20.

The bag 12 of the picking-bag device 10 has a front side 25 facing awayfrom the user 17, and a back side 26 facing toward the user, as shown inFIG. 2. The harness 15 includes a pair of support straps 30 permanentlyattached to the receiving frame 24 at the top opening 22 of the bag 12,proximate to the back side of the bag. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, thepair of support straps includes a first support strap 301 and a supportsecond strap 302. The user wears the harness of the picking-bag deviceby placing their arms through the pair of support straps, with the firstsupport strap crossing the second support strap at the back of the user,and each of the pair of support straps looping back to the receivingframe at the opposite side. Preferably, the pair of support straps crosson top of a back support-pad 33 against the user, as shown in FIG. 3.The back support-pad provides for greatly improved comfort, compared toprior produce picking-bag devices.

As shown in FIG. 1, each of the pair of support straps 30 attaches tothe receiving frame 24 of the picking-bag device 10 at the top openingof the bag 12. Each of the pair of support straps preferably attaches tothe receiving frame with a support strap clip 36.

Preferably, the pair of support straps 30 are each made of a ‘webbing’material, which is a flat, woven strapping made of a nylon,polypropylene, or a cotton fibrous material. A most preferred materialfor the pair of support straps is polypropylene, with each of the pairof support straps approximately three inches wide by three millimetersin thickness, and approximately three feet in length.

The bag 12 of the picking-bag device 10 includes a pair of bag bottomstraps 40, as shown in FIG. 1, which serve to fold the tubular bag andretain the harvested fruit 20 within the bag, until pair of bottomstraps ore released by the user 17. Specifically, the pair of bottomstraps include a first bottom strap 401 and a second bottom strap 402.Each of the pair of bag bottom straps are permanently attached to thebottom opening 23 of the bag, at the back side 26 of the bag, preferablywith a stitched connection. The user is able to pull upward on each ofthe pair of bag bottom straps to create a fold 44 in the bag, whichserves to retain the harvested fruit within the bag, and prevents theharvested fruit from spilling out of the bottom opening of the bag.

Preferably, the pair of bottom straps 40 are each made of a ‘webbing’material, which is a flat, woven strapping made of a nylon,polypropylene, or a cotton fibrous material. A most preferred materialfor the pair of bottom straps is polypropylene, with each of the pair ofbottom straps approximately two inches wide by three millimeters inthickness, and approximately two feet in length.

Each of the pair of bottom straps includes a stop-grommet 48. As shownin FIG. 1, and detailed in FIGS. 4, and 5, the stop-grommet ispermanently mounted in each of the pair of bottom straps 40 and eachstop-grommet includes a grommet hole 49, formed within the stop-grommet.The grommet hole is receivable onto a set-post 51. The set-post extendsfrom a strap set-hook 52 that mounts to the receiving frame as shown inFIG. 4, with the set-post of the set-hook sized to receive the grommethole of the stop-grommet. With the stop-grommet 48 received onto theset-post 51, each of the pair of bag bottom straps removably attaches tothe bag 12 of the picking-bag device 10 at the top opening 22 of thebag, proximate to the receiving frame 24, as shown in FIG. 5. The user17 can slide the stop-grommet onto the set-post, to create the fold 44in the bag and retain the harvested fruit 20 with the bag, as shown inFIG. 1. Alternatively, the user can slide the stop-grommet off theset-post to remove the fold 44 in the bag and allow the harvested fruitto dump from the bag, as shown in FIG. 8.

The set-post 51 is received into the stop-grommet to form a grommet-postclasp 55, as shown in FIG. 5. The grommet-post clasp is a singular,non-adjustable attachment of each of the pair of bottom straps 40 to thereceiving frame 24 at the top opening of the bag 12 of the picking-bagdevice 10.

In an alterative embodiment of the picking-bag device 10, each of thepair of bag bottom straps 40 can include a grommet strap 60 thatreceives the stop-grommet 48. FIG. 8 shows a preferred embodiment of thegrommet strap on each bag bottom strap. Preferably, the grommet strap ismade from the same material as the pair of bottom straps 40 which is a‘webbing’ material, which is a flat, woven strapping made of a nylon,polypropylene, or a cotton fibrous material. A most preferred materialfor the grommet strap is polypropylene, as with each of the pair ofbottom straps. The grommet straps is most preferably approximately twoinches wide by three millimeters in thickness, and approximately threeto five inches in length, and stitched to the bottom strap at a grommetstrap connection 61 as shown in FIG. 8, and detailed in FIGS. 6 and 7with the grommet strap extending from the first bottom strap 401.

As shown in FIG. 8, the bottom strap 40 covers the grommet strap 60 asthe harvested fruit 20 is dumped from the bottom opening 23 of the bag12 and into a bin 62, or any other receptacle for receiving theharvested fruit. Covering the grommet strap with the bottom strapshields the stop-grommet 48 and this serves to protect the harvestedfruit exiting the bottom opening of the bag, and reduces potentialdamage to the harvested fruit from contact with the stop-grommet.Specifically, the bottom strap extends past the connection to thegrommet strap with a bottom strap end 63. The bottom strap end hangsfreely as shown in FIG. 7, so that the user 17 may grasp the bottomstrap and either attach the stop-grommet to the set-post 51, or detachthe stop-grommet from the set-post, as shown in FIG. 6, to remove thefold 44 in the bag and allow the harvested fruit to dump from the bag.

Significantly, prior picking-bag systems include bottom straps for thefruit retaining bag with multiple attachment points, to provide the userwith the option of either increasing or reducing the length of thesupport strap and thereby increasing or reducing the volume of thepicking bag. This adjustability of the prior picking-bag systems isundesirable, in that it likely produces damage to the fruit or produce,especially when an overly large bag volume is selected that causescrushing or bruising of the harvested fruit or produce. Oftenconstructed of ropes, cords, chains or wires, permanently attached tothe tubular bag at the bottom opening, these prior adjustable bag bottomsupportive strap attachments are undesirable and a non-adjustable bottomstrap system is provided by the picking-bag device 10 of the presentdisclosure, which minimizes the ability of the user 17 to make anyadjustment to the volume of the bag 12, and so eliminate damage to theharvested fruit 20 by over adjusting the volume of the bag.

Additionally, with the grommet strap 60 covered by the bottom strap end63, damage to the harvested fruit 20, including bruising, skin abrasion,puncture or skin tearing, is greatly minimized. The bottom strap endalso provides a handy grasping point or handle for the user 17 of theproduce picking-bag device 10.

Examples of fruit picking receptacles include U.S. Pat. Nos. 517,786,719,810, 760,048, 1,097,374, 1,994,362, and 4,925,071. Again, a commonproblem with these prior fruit picking bags and buckets is that theyfail to solve the problem of an adjustably too large volume of theproduce retaining bag or bucket. Specifically, when the harvested fruitis first placed into the bucket or bag, the fruit must be let go by thepicker and so the fruit falls to the bottom of the bag. Subsequent fruitimpacts upon the first fruit placed into the bag, and bruising occurs.

Additionally, in an oversized picking-bag, the weight of the produce onproduce beneath can be enough to crush or at least bruise the underlyingfruit. If the bag or bucket is reduced in size, then the picker mustremove the contents of the bag or “dump” it at more frequent intervals,which takes time away from picking, which may be a disadvantage to theuser. Additionally, adjustable bag systems, with incremental sizeadjustments to the receptacle made possible by knots or slots in theadjustment straps, takes time and can result in the unwanted release offruit from the bottom of the bag because the support strap, rope orchain unintentionally slips or completely detaches.

The produce picking-bag device 10 of the present disclosure isespecially useful in the hand picking or harvesting of tree-grownfruits, such as apples, pears or peaches, and solves the failings of theprior picking bag systems by providing a secure and preset volume of thebag 12 for holding the harvested fruit 20.

Of note, the terms “substantially,” “proximate to” and “approximately”are employed herein throughout, including this detailed description andthe attached claims, with the understanding that is denotes a level ofexactitude or equivalence in amount or location commensurate with theskill and precision typical for the particular field of endeavor, asapplicable.

In compliance with the statutes, the invention has been described inlanguage more or less specific as to structural features and processsteps. While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in differentforms, the specification illustrates preferred embodiments of theinvention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to beconsidered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, andthe disclosure is not intended to limit the invention to the particularembodiments described. Those with ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that other embodiments and variations of the invention arepossible, which employ the same inventive concepts as described above.Therefore, the invention is not to be limited except by the followingclaims, as appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine ofequivalents.

The following is claimed:
 1. A produce picking-bag device comprising: abag wearable by a user, the bag including an approximately tubularreceptacle with a top opening and a bottom opening; a first set-postmounted to the bag proximate to the top opening; a first bottom strappermanently attached to the bag at the bottom opening, the first bottomstrap having a first stop-grommet, and the first stop-grommet having afirst grommet hole; the first set-post received into the first grommethole of the first grommet to form a first grommet-post clasp; a secondset-post mounted to the bag proximate to the top opening; a secondbottom strap permanently attached to the bag at the bottom opening, thesecond bottom strap having a second stop-grommet, and the secondstop-grommet having a second grommet hole; the second set-post receivedinto the second grommet hole of the second grommet to form a secondgrommet-post clasp; and the bag upwardly foldable to retain a quantityof a produce product within the bag, with the first stop-grommetreceived onto the first grommet-post, and the second stop-grommetreceived onto the second grommet-post.
 2. A produce picking-bag devicecomprising: a bag wearable by a user, the bag including an approximatelytubular receptacle with a top opening and a bottom opening; a firstset-post mounted to the bag proximate to the top opening; a first bottomstrap permanently attached to the bag at the bottom opening, a firstgrommet strap attached to the first bottom strap at a first grommetstrap connection, the first grommet strap having a first stop-grommet,and the first stop-grommet having a first grommet hole; the firstset-post received into the first grommet hole of the first grommet toform a first grommet-post clasp; a second set-post mounted to the bagproximate to the top opening; a second bottom strap permanently attachedto the bag at the bottom opening, a second grommet strap attached to thesecond bottom strap at a second grommet strap connection, the secondgrommet strap having a second stop-grommet, and the second stop-grommethaving a second grommet hole; the second set-post received into thesecond grommet hole of the second grommet to form a second grommet-postclasp; and the bag upwardly foldable to retain a quantity of a produceproduct within the bag, with the first stop-grommet received onto thefirst grommet-post, and the second stop-grommet onto the secondgrommet-post.
 3. A produce picking-bag device comprising: a bag wearableby a user, the bag including an approximately tubular receptacle with atop opening and a bottom opening; a first set-post mounted to the bagproximate to the top opening; a first bottom strap permanently attachedto the bag at the bottom opening, the first bottom strap having a firstbottom strap end holdable by the user, a first grommet strap attached tothe first bottom strap at a first grommet strap connection, the firstgrommet strap having a first stop-grommet, and the first stop-grommethaving a first grommet hole; the first set-post received into the firstgrommet hole of the first grommet to form a first grommet-post clasp; asecond set-post mounted to the bag proximate to the top opening; asecond bottom strap permanently attached to the bag at the bottomopening, the second bottom strap having a second bottom strap endholdable by the user, a second grommet strap attached to the secondbottom strap at a second grommet strap connection, the second grommetstrap having a second stop-grommet, and the second stop-grommet having asecond grommet hole; the second set-post received into the secondgrommet hole of the second grommet to form a second grommet-post clasp;the bag upwardly foldable to retain a quantity of a produce productwithin the bag; and the bag unfoldable to empty the harvested fruit fromthe bottom opening of the bag, with the bottom strap end of each bottomstrap covering the stop-grommet of each grommet strap.